MOUNTAINLANDS COMMUNITY HOUSING TRUST

MCHT's Transitional Housing Program(THP) provides housing, case work and support for homeless individuals and families in our community.

There are many reasons for a family to become homeless, some lose their jobs, became disabled, others have mental illness, are burdened by debt and others leave their partners or are victims of domestic violence. Without transitional housing victims of domestic violence frequently go back to their perpetratros.The majority of participants in MCHT's Transitional Housing Program are individuals or single parents with one or more children.

The Transitional Housing Program leases 9 homes in the community. In order to qualify for the THP, participants must be low income residents and homeless or would otherwise become homeless if they did not receive this service.

During their stay, participants receive housing and supportive services to assist in achieving three highly defined goals of the THP: 1. Obtain and remain in permanent housing; 2. Improve self determination; 3. Increase skills and/or income. MCHT provides a case worker who meets at least weekly with each participant to review progress and deal with current issues. Participants are required to enroll in specific classes/programs and work with affiliated organizations that will assist them in achieving the aforementioned goals. Attendance of classes and completing weekly, monthly and long-term goals are mandatory for the participants to remain in the program. By their third month in thee program, income earning participants are required to pay 10% of their gross monthly income towards a saving deposit. These funds are put into a savings account that is later refunded to the participant (minus professional cleaning and maintenance fees) upon exiting the program with the purpose of using it for security deposit/down payment for permanent housing. Over the past nine years over 80 households have successfully completed the program.